Subianto Haunted by Past Abductions

Indonesian Presidential Candidate Was Discharged From the Military for His Role in 1998 Events

By

Richard C. Paddock

Updated July 3, 2014 1:44 p.m. ET

JAKARTA, Indonesia—When Special Forces soldiers kidnapped Nezar Patria in 1998, tortured him and kept him in solitary confinement for three months, he wondered if he would survive. He never imagined his ordeal would someday figure in a presidential campaign.

The abduction of Mr. Patria and eight other pro-democracy activists was ordered by then-Gen. Prabowo Subianto, who headed Kopassus, Indonesia's Special Forces, according to the...